I subscribe to a health enewsletter that brings me some pretty great articles on different subjects. My dad struggled with stopping smoking and he was sure that was what had “done him in”. In the most recent article that I read from www.lifescript.com had to do with the reasons why you should stop smoking. I think that everyone knows this, but the letter listed the top ten reasons to stop smoking.
Involved in the newsletter where some statements about fertility and pregnancy and parenting being in their top ten.
6. You Risk Infertility
It has long been known that male smokers generally have a low sperm count, but recent studies also show that genetic mutations of sperm from male smokers may also be to blame for infertility. Male smokers are also at a higher risk for erectile dysfunction. Female smokers may also have a harder time getting pregnant.7. You’re in for a Difficult Pregnancy
If you do actually become pregnant, you’re in for a rough ride. Women who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to experience ectopic pregnancies, which occurs when the fertilized egg begins to develop in the slender fallopian tube instead of the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies can be fatal for both mom and baby. Other risks to the baby’s health include lower birth weight and birth defects. And, women who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to deliver prematurely or miscarry.8. You’re a Bad Influence
Kids imitate their parents, which means if you smoke in front of your kids, they’re likely to copy you. One study detailed at the American Heart Association’s annual meeting showed that 50% of kids whose parents were smokers thought smoking was “cool,†while 55% of kids of smokers planned on smoking in the future. Kids of smokers are also generally less active and develop poor nutrition skills. If you want to positively shape the future of your children and the other children around you, quit smoking and be a healthy role model.
Now, of course, while I’m thinking about all of my friends and myself that have had fertility issues, none of us smokes or smoked before. Although statistics like these claim some reasons for infertility, I wish that it was that easy to just give up smoking, then get pregnant. I love an easy answer. Although this may make a difference with some people, I don’t think that it played a part in mine.
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